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Otter Girls Tennis Team Opens Season in Park Rapids

By Jamie Lill, 08/18/19, 8:00PM CDT

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The Fergus Falls girls tennis team kicked off its season on Saturday with an 8-team tournament in Park Rapids. 

“We had wonderful, sunny tennis weather all day,” reported Otter Head Coach Jamie Lill.  “This tournament is always a great way to start the season.  The flexibility allowed in the lineups gave us the opportunity to try different people in various positions and get a couple extra players the chance to play.” 

Sophomore Ellie Colbeck returned to the court as the Otters first singles player.  Ellie earned herself a couple of early round wins to get herself into the championship match against Danielle Thorfinnson of Minnewaska.  Thorfinnson is a top contender in single A tennis, so this was a great matchup for Colbeck.  Ellie held tough in a close first set, but ended up falling in straight sets to the veteran.  “Ellie started the day with some jitters, but shook them and had a very productive day of tennis, earning herself second place among some solid players,” said Coach Lill. 

Leila Nasri made a jump up to second singles for the day.  Leila was able to earn herself a nice win against East Grand Forks.  “Leila showed improved consistency from last season, and even as the day progressed,” noted Lill.  “Second singles is a new challenge for this young player, and she did a nice job of learning and adjusting as the day unfolded.  Ava Weber filled the number 3 singles position for us.  Ava is a steady player.  She showed her consistency throughout the day and brought home 4th place in her tournament.  Our 4th singles spot was filled by three different athletes in this tournament.  Elizabeth Houge earned the first win for the Otters in straight sets and Mia Marsh also earned a victory.

In doubles action, the first doubles team of Carlie Meis and Olivia Kaliher brought home a 4th place finish.  “These girls were totally new to tennis at this tournament last year and have earned themselves a spot atop our lineup in just a year of work,” added Coach Lill.  “They are a fun and energetic doubles team to watch.  First doubles is no joke when it comes to pace and a high level of play and these girls did a nice job in their matches Saturday.” 

Elissa Lee and Elizabeth Wickstrom earned a nice victory against Wadena/Deer Creek.  This duo was new together and brought a nice energy to the court for the Otters. 

At third doubles, the Otters threw out three different combinations of players including Mia Marsh, Shanda Halvorson, Elizabeth Houge, Takaira Wynn-Sheldon and Isabella Abrahams.  Houge and Abrahams earned a straight set victory, giving all 7 of the Otters tournament positions a win for the day.

Lill concluded, “Saturday was a good day for gauging where we're at and what we need to work on.  The girls battled hard all day and we saw some good things.  Improving consistency of play will be a year-long goal for us this season and these girls will continue to do the work.” 

Fergus Falls has three matches this upcoming week, hosting Morris and Park Rapids on Tuesday beginning at 10:00am and traveling to Detroit Lakes on Thursday.